"Our military is making good progress in Iraq, yet this war is far from over. As they approach Baghdad, our fighting units are facing the most desperate elements of a doomed regime," Bush told a cheering crowd.

"We cannot know the duration of this war, but we are prepared for the battle ahead," Bush said, vowing the United States will berelentless in its pursuit of victory.

"Every nation here today shares the same resolve," Bush said, adding that 48 countries are involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Bush's visit to the Central Command comes at a time when many administration officials are voicing exasperation with media accounts questioning the US and coalition military strategy.

These officials say Iraqi forces and paramilitary units are providing stiff resistance in some locations, but that the overallbattle plan is progressing on or even ahead of schedule.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2003)